Resonance ring for stringed musical instruments



j Ju1y24,192s. l 1,678,456

G'. ALTERMATT .RESONANCE RING FoRHsTRINGEb MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Fi1edsept.28. 192s l 2 i i Patented July 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFCE.

GEORGE ALTEBMATT, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB T GIBSON, INCOR- ZPORATED, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

RESONANCE RING FOR STRINGED .MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed September rlhis invention relates to improvements in resonance rings for stringed musical instruments. My improvements relate particularly to resonance rings of stringed musical instruments of the banjo type and I have illustrated the same as embodied in banjos.

The main object of the invention is to provide a banjo in which the volume of tone is greater than that of the well-known or standard types of banjos and at the same time is of a pleasing quality. j Y

Further objects, and lobjects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will denitely appear lfrom the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. rIhe invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

F ig. I is a fragmentary side view, partially in section on line 1-1 of Fig. II, of a banjo Y embodying the featuresV of my invention.

Fig. II is a fragmentary plan view.

Fig. III is an enlarged detail viewV in section on a line corresponding to line 3 3 of Fig. II.

In the drawing similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts in all of the views and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the littlearrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the rim 1 and neck 2 are connected in the usual or any desired manner. The rim is provided with a plurality ofbore-like sockets 3 in its upper edge having coiled springs 4 arranged therein. Thrust plates 5 are provided for the lower ends of the springs.

At the upper ends of the springs are thrust plates 6 for the balls 7, the plates having central holes 8 therein forming centering seats for the balls so that they are supported out of contact with the walls of the sockets as shown in Fig. III. rIhese balls support a tubular resonance ring 9 having a plurality of sound holes 10 on the inner side thereof which are preferably arranged below the horizontal center of the resonance ring and with their axes at an angle of approximately 450 to the horizontal plane of the ring. Y

The head 11 is supported by the bearing or 28, 1925.` Serial No. 59,972.

thrust ring 12 which is of such diameter that it rests upon the resonance ring in a plane through the center thereof so that a pressure upon theV bearing ring tends to center it relative to the resonance ring.

The rim is provided with an annular eX- tension 13 of metal which is' spaced from the resonance ring by the annular spacing or thrust member 14. 'Ihe head 11 is drawn over the upper edge of this rim member 13 and is clamped by the clamping ring 15 which embraces the rim member 13, clamping screws 16 being provided for the ring 15.-

The springs el are stiff enough to support the resonance ring under the stress of the head, and at the same time they yield so that the resonance ring is effectively supported throughout its length and is free to vibrate with the head. The walls of the resonance ring are of such thickness as to permit this, at the same time supporting the head without being crushed. The load is uniformly distributed by means of the bearing or thrust ring 12. i

rEhe spacing or thrust member 14: insures the centering of the resonance ring and prevents its being displaced by the user in removing or adjusting the head. i

l/Vith the parts thus arranged I secure an instrument of very desirable tone qualities and volumeexceeding that of the common type of banjo. i

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment oradaptation which has been found very practical. A I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain modifications or adaptations `which I contemplate as I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in theart to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a banjo, the combination with a rim having a plurality ofsockets in its upper edge and provided with'an upwardly projecting extension member, coiled springs arranged in said sockets, ball thrust plates having central ball positioning seats therein disposed upon said springs in said sockets, balls supported on said seats out `of contact with the walls of the sockets, a resonance ring disposed on said balls and havinga plurality of sound holes in the inner side thereof, an annular thrust member disposed between said resonance ring and said rim extension member, a head thrust ring or' a diameter less than that of said resonance ring resting thereon, a head supported by said thrust ring and embracing the upper edge of said rim extension member, and a head clamping means.

2. In a banjo, the combination with a rim having a plurality of sockets in its upper edge, coiled springs arranged in said sockets, ball thrust plates having central ball positioning seats therein disposed upon said springs in said sockets, balls supported on said seats out of Contact with the walls of the sockets, a tubular resonance ring of cylindrical cross section disposed on said balls and having` a plurality or' sound holes therein, a head thrust ring of a diameter less than that of said resonance ring resting thereon, and a head supported by said thrust ring.

3. In a banjo, the combination with a rim having a plurality of sockets in its upper edge, coiled springs arranged in said sockets, ball thrust plates having central ball positioning seats therein disposed upon said springs in said sockets, balls supported on said rseats out of Contact with the walls of the sockets, a tubular resonance ring disposed on said balls and having a plurality of sound holes therein, and a head supported by said resonance ring.

4. In a banjo, the combination with a rim having a plurality of sockets in its upper` edge, coiled springs arranged in said sockets, balls supported on said springs, a tubular resonance ring disposed on said balls and having a plurality of sound holes therein, aI head thrust ring of a diameter less than that of said resonance ring resting thereon, and a head supported by said thrust ring.

5. In a banjo, the combination with a rim having a plurality of sockets in its upper edge, coiled springs arranged in said sockets, balls supported on said springs, a tubular resonance ring disposed on said balls and having a plurality or' sound holes therein, and a head supported by said resonance ring.

6. In a banjo, the combination with a rim provided with a plurality of resiliently supported balls and with an upwardly projecting extension member, resilient means mounted in the rim for supporting the balls, a resonance ring of cylindrical cross section disposed on said balls and having a plurality of sound holes in the inner side thereof, an annular thrust member disposed between said resonance ring and said rim extension member, a head thrust ring of a diameter less than that of saidA resonance ring resting thereon, a head supported by said thrust ring and embracing the upper edge or' s aid rim extension member, and a head clamping means.

7. In a banjo, the combination with a rim provided with a plurality ot resiliently supported balls and with an upwardly projecting extension member, resilient means mounted in the rim for supporting the balls, a resonance ring of cylindrical cross section disposed on said balls and having a plurality of sound holes in the inner side thereof disposed with their axes 'at any angle of approximately 450 to the horizontal plane oi' the resonance ring, an annular thrust member disposed between said resonance ring and said rim extension member, a head supported by said resonance ring embracing the upper edge oil said rim eXtension member` and a head clamping means.

8. In a banjo, the' combination with a rim provided with a plurality or resiliently supported balls, resilient means mounted in the rim for supporting the balls, a resonance ring of cylindrical cross section disposed on said balls and having a plurality of sound holes in the inner side thereof disposed with their aXes at an angle of approximately 450 to the horizontal. plane of the resonance ring, a head thrust ring or' a diameter less than that of said resonance ring resting thereon, and, a head support-ed by said thrust ring.

9. In a banjo, the combination with a rim' provided with a plurality of resiliently supported balls, resilient means mounted in the rim for supporting the balls, a resonance ring or cylindrical cross section disposed on said ballsand having a plurality of sound holes in the inner side thereof disposed with their axes at an angle or' approximately 45 to the horizontal plane of the resonance ring, and a head supported by said resonance ring.

10. In a stringed musical instrument of the class described, the combination with a rim and a head, of a tubular resonance ring, spring supported members for said resonance ring carried by said rim, a thrust ring interposed between said head and resonance ring, a rim extension member disposed at the outside oi and spaced from said resonance ring, an annular thrust member disposed between said resonance ring and said rim extension member, and a head clamping ring embracing said rim extension member.

1l. In a stringed musical instrument of the class described, the combination with a rim and a head, of a tubular resonance ring, spring supported members for said resonance ring carried by said rim, a rim extension member disposed at the outside of and spaced from said resonance ring, an annular thrust member disposed between said resonance ring and said rim extension member,

Vand a head clamping ring embracing said rim extension member.

12. In a stringed musical instrument of the class described, the combination with a rim' and a head, of a tubular resonance ring, supporting balls yfor said resonance ring, a thrust ring interposed between said head and resonance ring, a rim extension member disposed at the outside of and spaced from said resonance ring, an annular thrust inember disposed between said resonance ring and said rim extension member, and a head clamping ring embracing said rim extension member.

13. In a stringed musical instrument or" the class described, the combination with a rim and a head, oi' a tubular resonance ring, supporting balls for said resonance ring, a rim extension member disposed at the outside of said resonance ring, a thrust member disposed between said resonance ring and said rim extension member, and a head clamping` ring embraciing` said rim extension member.

14. In a stringed musical instrument of the class descrbed, the combination with the rim and a. head, of a tubular resonance ring supportingthe head and provided with sound openings on its inner side, resiliently supported bearing` balls for said resonance ring, and resilient means mounted in the rim for supporting` the balls.

l5. In a stringed musical instrument of the class described, the combination with a rim, and a head, a tubular resonance ring supporting said head, spring supported bearing balls interposed between said head and rim, and coiled springs mounted in said rim' for supporting said balls.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE ALTERMATT. 

